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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 7, 2006 · Bell 206B · N96NW

Sprague, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Sprague, WA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N96NW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA06TA071

The pilot reported that while conducting deer capture operations, and during a low altitude tail-low flare maneuver, the helicopter's tail rotor blades struck a rock outcropping while maneuvering around a knoll, resulting in the helicopter rotating 270 degrees to the right before contacting the ground and rolling over onto its left side. There was no post crash fire and the pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain was a factor.

Full Narrative

On April 7, 2006, approximately 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Bell helicopter 206B, N96NW, sustained substantial damage after impacting mountainous terrain while conducting low level deer capture operations near Sprague, Washington. The aircraft was registered to Olympic Jet Incorporated, of Olympia, Washington, and operated by Northwest Helicopters, also of Olympia. The certificated commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local Public Use flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed a staging area near Sprague, approximately 0915. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form (NTSB form 6120.1), the 25,000 hour pilot reported that while conducting deer capture operations, and during a pull-up with the aircraft in a tail low flare maneuver, the tail rotor blades struck a hillside. The pilot stated that [after impact] the helicopter rotated 270 degrees to the right before contacting the ground, which resulted in the aircraft rolling over onto its left side. There was no post crash fire. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that the main rotor blades had impacted a rock outcropping as the helicopter was maneuvering around a knoll. The inspector reported that damage to the helicopter included the mast separating, the engine partially separating, and the tail boom being twisted and bent. At 0956, the automated weather reporting facility at Felts Field (GEG), Spokane, Washington, located approximately 30 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind 060 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 10,000 feet, broken clouds at 20,000 feet, temperature 8 degrees C, dew point 2 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN96NW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C-20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 18000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 36 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data